Twenty-four days before Christmas, while most institutions are easing into the holiday slowdown, the University of Northern Philippines is accelerating its drive for excellence—formally submitting four academic programs to rigorous external evaluation. The move, covering Hospitality Management, Tourism Management (Level IV Phase 2); Business Administration, and Cooperative Management (Level IV Phase 1 – Revisit), underscored UNP’s resolve to keep its academic offerings globally aligned and relentlessly competitive, even at the year’s busiest time.
The external accreditation survey visit, set for December 1–3, 2025, signaled a major step forward in the university’s continuous effort to elevate academic standards. During the opening program, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Rolando Navarro formally welcomed the panel of accreditors, affirming the institution’s full preparedness for a thorough and transparent assessment. He stressed that UNP’s decision to open its programs to external scrutiny reflects its strong sense of accountability and its commitment to meet internationally recognized benchmarks in higher education.
The visiting team of accreditors is headed by Coordinator Dr. Boyet Batang of Isabela State University, whose leadership is expected to steer a smooth, impartial, and professionally executed evaluation. Each of the University’s programs will undergo rigorous scrutiny by experts in their respective fields.
For the Bachelor of Science in Cooperative Management, the panel is composed of Team Leader Dr. Joy Savellano of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology and Lead Accreditor Dr. Erlie Totaan of Tarlac Agricultural University.
The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management will be reviewed by Dr. Jeanneth Darroca and Dr. Ria Monsalem, both from Iloilo Science and Technology University, whose extensive backgrounds in hospitality and tourism education are expected to provide strategic and industry-aligned insights.
Meanwhile, the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management program will be assessed by Team Leader Dr. Pia Rhoda Lucero and Lead Accreditor Dr. Nancy Alaras of Cavite State University, ensuring that the program is evaluated against current national benchmarks in tourism education.
For the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, the evaluation team includes Dr. Serapio Castriciones of Nueva Vizcaya State University as Team Leader and Dr. Richard Celeste of Mindanao State University as Lead Accreditor, both recognized for their depth of expertise in business and management disciplines.
To further reinforce the comprehensiveness of the survey visit, Dr. Consuelo Estigoy of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology will assess the university’s Library Services, highlighting UNP’s commitment to strengthening academic support systems that respond to the evolving needs of its learners and faculty.
The accreditation activities drew the presence of key academic leaders who underscored the University’s united front in pursuing quality assurance. Leading the delegation are Dr. Erwin Tolbe, Dean of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA), and Dr. Blessie Cabanting, Dean of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management (CHTM). They are joined by program heads Dr. Rogelio Quario II (BSHM), Dr. Rubylene Bactadan (BSTM), Dr. Melvin Laureta (BSCM), Dr. Ace Ferrer (BSBA–FM), and Dr. Princess Neptalia Quebral (BSBA–HRDM), whose leadership anchors the academic rigor of their respective programs.
The active involvement of faculty members, administrators, and support staff from various university offices further highlights UNP’s cohesive and institution-wide commitment to the accreditation process. Their collective participation exemplifies a culture of continuous improvement—one that strengthens academic operations and reinforces the University’s ongoing mission in instruction, research, extension, and administrative service.
In his message, Dr. Erwin Cadorna stressed the importance of the accreditation undertaking, describing it as both “an honor and a significant obligation.” He explained that the process affirms the University’s adherence to national benchmarks and demonstrates that its programs stand at par with the best institutions in the country and beyond—particularly in the areas of instruction, research, extension, linkages, and administration. His remarks reflected UNP’s determination to sustain excellence in all facets of its academic and operational performance, reinforcing its position as a competitive institution in both the national and global arenas.
Dr. Cadorna also highlighted the vital role of external accreditation in fostering institutional development and continuous quality enhancement. He noted that the accreditation process “has transformed through the years into a fundamentally integral aspect of our institutional identity,” evolving from a compliance requirement into a source of institutional pride and an engine for ongoing innovation. His message captured the University’s conviction that accreditation not only validates its strengths but also drives it to remain forward-looking, adaptive, and steadfast in delivering exemplary service to its stakeholders.
During the preparation for the accreditation survey, the University of Northern Philippines has carefully organized its internal counterparts to work alongside the visiting accreditors, ensuring that each program is thoroughly represented in all areas of evaluation.
For the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM) program, Dr. Rogelio Quario II leads a dedicated team. Dr. Marjorie Dafun, Dr. Mitessa-Ina Reynante, and Dr. Elizabeth Baclig oversee research; Dr. Marilen Pablico, Mr. Dave Angelo Asuncion, and Ms. Quennie Rosario handle international linkages and consortia; while the performance of graduates is monitored by Dr. Quario, together with Dr. Kevin Cesar Martinez and Mr. Jemson Barisoro. Extension and community service initiatives is managed by Mr. Glenn Benzon, Mr. Oliver Deladia, Mr. Victoriano Bersamina II, and Mr. Alden Baldos, and Dr. Blessie Cabanting, together with Dr. Joan Marie Guzman, guides the program’s well-developed planning process.
The Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) program, headed by Dr. Rubylene Jane Bactadan, also marshals a comprehensive team. Research is handled by Dr. Dafunand Ms. Sharmaine Raguindin, while international linkages and consortia are under the charge of Dr. Pablico, Ms. Erika Gascon, and Mr. Aries Jay Fule. Dr. Bactadan, together with Mr. Jervin Dale Formoso, evaluate the performance of graduates. Extension and community service initiatives are led by Mr. Glenn Benzon, Mr. Ruperto M. Corpuz, and Mr. Junel Ayson, with planning guidance provided by Dr. Cabanting, Ms. Alma Manalo, and Mr. Mark Anthony Rosales.
For the Bachelor of Science in Cooperative Management (BSCM) program, Dr. Melvin Laureta heads a team covering all areas of assessment. Research is supported by Ms. Illah Diva Faypon, Dr. Richel Royce Chan, and Mr. Rey Anthony Vecina, while international linkages and consortia fall under Mr. Michael Anthony Agustin, Mr. Gerald Valdez, and Mr. Niño Patricio Almachar. The performance of graduates is monitored by Dr. Laureta, Dr. Shareen Navarro, and Ms. Karen Calaycay, and extension and community service programs are managed by Dr. Eileen Rose Paculan, Mr. Aristotle Piamonte, and Mr. Ralph Marren Buccat. The program’s planning process is guided by Ms. Deborah Jaena R. Reoliquio and Mr. Joshua Puller.
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) programs, meanwhile, are structured into ten specialized areas, each staffed with faculty members who ensure a meticulous review of the program. Areas range from the university’s vision, mission, goals, and objectives to faculty, curriculum, student support, research, extension, library, facilities, laboratories, and administration. Dr. Ace Ferrer leads the Financial Management program, while Dr. Princess Neptalia Quebral oversees the Human Resource Development Management program, coordinating their respective teams to ensure comprehensive readiness for the external accreditation process.
Through this carefully organized structure, UNP demonstrates its commitment to excellence, ensuring that each program is fully prepared to undergo rigorous evaluation and to meet the highest standards of academic quality.
